Campus religious organizations show limited diversity

Nov. 5, 2013

Written by

Alex Beecher

Contributing Writer

The religious organizations at Middle Tennessee State University have seen a drop in diversity this year due to the current cycle of student interests, according to the Leadership and Service department.

Nineteen out of 30 students said they were Christian in an unscientific Sidelines poll taken in the Student Union building. Six out of 30 said they were not religious at all, while four considered themselves to simply be “spiritual.” One student out of the 30 was Muslim.

Only two students polled were members of a religious organization on campus. They were both Christian. Those who were involved in a religious group were avid supporters and were happy to express the benefits of fellowship.

“I love being with other people who share my values, especially in college,” said Bonnie McCabe, the president of MTSU Catholics.

Most students who were not members of a religious group said the biggest factor in their lack of involvement was having a tight schedule. Many students live in Franklin or Nashville and go to work after a long day of classes.

“When it’s a religious thing, I think it’s good because you can share interests, or ideas or beliefs with other people, and just being around people who agree with you is good … so it’s just support,” said Jude Smith, a member of an off-campus, non-denominational Christian organization called Eastgate Creative Christian Fellowship located in Donelson.

Hanan Kazem, the vice president of the Muslim Student Association, is an exception. She enjoys the challenge of juggling school, work and her leadership position.

“It’s good to stay busy. You’re in college. Do the most you can do; do the best that you can. I just want to keep a good balance,” Kazem said.

Other reasons for not joining were a general lack of interest, followed by insufficient information on religious organizations’ existence. One student said that she was unable to find an organization that fit her beliefs.

Out of the 21 groups listed on myMT, only two were not Christian missions: the Jewish organization, Hillel, and the Muslim Student Association.

“It really depends on the climate of the students at that time, and it’s constantly changing. We have had a Baha’i group in years past; we had a Pagan group in years past,” said Jackie Victory, the director of Leadership and Service.

Although no official roster exists for organizations, Victory said a “large chunk” of students were involved in Christian organizations this year. Victory also said a lot of religious groups operate off-campus.